Folding table construction and supporting means therefor



A ril 22, 1958 R. E. SCHIEBER FOLDING TABLE CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPORTING MEANS TIIEREEOR Original Filed Sept. 14, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 5 Fajer! 27562 78267 1 5, 3 t OFIVLI S A ril 22, 1958 R. E. SCHIEBER 2, ,7

FOLDING TABLE CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPORTING MEANS THEREFOR Original Filed Sept. 14, 1953 s Sheets-Sheet 2 1| H u E H H K926 77 I .S'c/zze e 7 IN V EN TOR.

April 2, 1958 R. E. SCHIEBER 2,831,740

FOLDING TABLE CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPORTING MEANS THEREFOR Original Filed Sept. 14, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. FaZer; Z7 ScvZzeZer I faJr'NJ/Q United States Patent F FOLDING TABLE CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPORTING MEANS THEREFOR Robert E. Schieber, St. Petersburg, Fla, assign-or to Schieber Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Original application September 14, 1953, Seriai No. 379,763, now Patent No. 2,777,742, dated January 15, 1957. Divided and this application April 13, 1956, Serial No. 578,038

1 Claim. (Cl. 31189) This invention relates to table and bench constructions and more particularly to an improved table and bench construction of the type adapted to be folded into a recess in the wall of a room when not in use. This application is a division of the applicants co-pending application Serial Number 379,763 filed September 14, 1953, now Patent No. 2,777,742, for folding table and supporting structure therefor.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved table and bench construction which may be folded into a suitable wall recess so as to form the closure members thereof.

' Another object of the invention is to provide an improved table and bench construction of the above-mentioned type which may be easily and quickly folded or unfolded with a minimum of effort on the part of the operator; which may be readily detached from the recess while in the unfolded position; and which incorporates an improved and simplified leg supporting structure which facilitates movement of the table and bench units to any desired location in the room.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved table and bench construction incorporating improved means for folding the supporting structure and improved means for securely holding the table and bench units in the recess while in the folded position.

The above as well as other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claim. A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings throughout the several views of which corresponding reference characters designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table and bench construction, incorporating the present invention, in the unfolded or operative position;

' Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the table partially folded into a wall recess and the benches completely folded into wall reecsses;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the table structure illustrated in Fig. 1, with portions broken away;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3, taken on the line 4-4 thereof;

' Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3, taken on the line 5-5 thereof;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, on an enlarged scale, showing the hinge construction connecting the table sections;

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view of the table structure;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of the table sections folded into a recess, with portions broken away, and showing the locking means in the locked position;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 4, taken on the line 9--9 thereof; and 1 Fig. 10 is a side elevational view showing the table removed from the wall support and in a partially folded position.

Z,83l,?i Patented Apr. 22, 1958 ice associated with the table, each bench having a pair of sections, generally designated 14 and 16, which are pivotally secured together at their adjacent end portions.

The table and benches are detachably secured at their inner ends in suitable recesses 18 and 20, respectively, preferably formed in the wall 22 of a room, and may be folded into the recesses when not in use so as to be inobtrusive, thereby permitting unobstructed use of the floor of the room. The present invention is particularly adapted for use, in school buildings and like constructions to facilitate the use of one room for a plurality of purposes, as for example, a combined activities and dining room, but it will be appreciated that the present invention is also applicable to other uses. I

As best seen in Fig. 2, the table and benches may be folded from a horizontal position to a vertical position so that the outer table section 10 and the outer bench sections 14 form the closure members for the recesses 18 and 20, respectively. It is preferred to provide separate recesses for the table and benches in the manner shown but it will be apparent that a single recess could be provided and the table and benches so arranged that their outer sections form a complete closure for the single recess.

The table sections comprise top members 24 and 26, which may be formed of plywood, sheet metal or other suitable material, and are covered with a layer of formica, linoleum, plastic or other suitable wear-resistant material, while an edge molding 28, formed of aluminum, stainless steel or other suitable material, extends around the edges of the top members 24 and 26, the top of the molding 28 extending upwardly flush with the top surface of the formica. For the purpose of strengthening and 7 increasing the rigidity of the top members 24 and 26, the

web portions of a pair of metal channel members, such as 30 and 32, are secured to the lower surface of each top member by any suitable means and extend longitudinally for substantially the entire length of each top member. Such a construction provides a strong, lightweight, relatively inexpensive table top that is pleasing in appearance, durable and easily cleaned.

The inner end of the top member 24 and the outer end of the top member 26 are pivotally connected together by stepped hinge members, generally designated 34 and 36, which also function to pivotally retain the downwardly extending center supporting legs 38 and 4'1}. Each hinge is comprised of a pair of flange portions 42 and 44, one flange being fixed to the lower surface of each top member at a position near, but spaced from, the adjacent transversely extending edge by any suitable means, such as by screws 46. A pair of bent arms, such as 48 and 50, extend downwardly and then longitudinally from each side of each flange and are pivotally connected in overlapping relation with the arms of the opposite flange by a pivot pin, such as 52,'which extends through the overlapping portions of the arms and the upper portion of one of the center legs 38 and 4th. The hinges are so arranged that the edges of the two top members 24 and 25 abut each other and the top surfaces lie in the same horizontal plane when the table is in thte unfolded or operative position.

When the table is folded, it is adapted to be pushed within and close the recess 18 in the wall 22. The recess is provided with a sheet metal lining 54 which covers and is securely anchored to the top Wall, back Wall and bottom wall of the recess while the side walls and face portions of the table recess are formed from T-shaped to the lining. The top edge of the recess is reinforced by an angle member 69 which is anchored to the wall and welded or otherwise fixed to the .lining 54., For the purpose of detachably securing the top member 26 in the recess, a pair of bearing members 62 and 64 are positioned at opposite sides of the recess adjacent the lower portions thereof, each bearing member being formed in the shape of a channel. bearing member are welded, riveted or otherwise fixed to the side walls of the recess while the web portions are spaced inwardly therefrom. The components of the recess, including the lining 54, T-shaped members 56 and 58, angle member 60 and bearing members 62 and 64 are permanently secured together, preferably by Welding, riveting or the like, to form an integral unit which may be installed and incorporated in the Wall of a building as a permanent part thereof.

The bearing members are identical in construction, and as best seen in Fig. 9, each of the bearing members is provided with an inclined slot 66 which extends downwardly and inwardly, while the upper end portion of each slot is enlarged to form an opening 68. As best seen in Fig. 4, a pair of rollers or connecting members '76 and '72 are disposed on each side of the top member 26, the rollers being provided with enlarged collar portions 74 and 76 which may be simultaneously projected into and retracted from the openings 68 in the adjacent bearing members when the table is in the unfolded position.

When the collar portions 74 and 76 are projected into the openings 68, the bearing members serve as abutment stops to prevent withdrawal of the table from the recess. The rollers and 72 travel in the slots 66 during the folding and unfolding operations to guide the movement of the table while the enlarged end portions of the rollers engage the rear surface of the adjacent support member so as to retain the rollers in the slots and hold the table in proper position with respect to the sides of the recess.

The inner end portions of the rollers 70 and 72 are journaled for rotation in suitable bores 78 and 80 provided in the outer end portion of a pair of oppositely disposed bars 82 and 84 which extend transversely of the top member 26 through a passageway 86 provided in a housing 88 having flange portions 90 and 92 secured to the lower surface of the top member by any suitable means, such as screws 94. The inner end portion of the bar 82 is pivotally connected to the outer end portion of a link arm 96 by a pin 98'which extends through a slot 160 in the housing, while the inner end portion of the bar 84 is pivotally connected to the outer end portion of a link arm 102 by a pin 104 which extends through a slot 186 in the housing. The other end portion of each link arm is pivotally connected to one end of a rocker arm 108 which extends through oppositely disposed slots in the walls of the passageway 86 and is provided with an integral stud 110 which extends perpendicularly from the plane of the rocker arm. The stud 110 is journaled for oscillation in a bushing 112 fixed in the top section 26, the stud and bushing terminating flush with the top surface of the top member so as not to protrude or otherwise interfere with the normal usage of the table while a hexagonal or non-circular recess is formed in the upper end of the stud 110 and is adapted to receive a similarly shaped key or wrench (not shown).

With the table in the unfolded or operative position, the enlarged portions 74 and 76 of the rollers are aligned with the openings 68 in the bearing members so that when the key is inserted in the opening in the stud 110 and rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, the rocker arm 108 is caused to rotate in a clockwise direction about the axis of the stud 110. The transverse extending bars 82 and 84 are then projected outwardly by the link arms 96 and 102, respectively, thereby causing the enlarged portions 74 and 76 of the rollers to The flange portions of each 7 project through the openings 68 in the bearing members 62 and 64 to slidably secure the top member 26 to the bearing members. It will be apparent that the enlarged portions may be retracted from the openings when the table is in the unfolded position by turning the key in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, after which the table may be rolled from the recess 18 to any desired location in the room. However, when the table is in a folded or partially folded position, the enlarged portion of each roller engages the rear surface of each bearing member while the rollers project through the slot therein, thereby preventing removal of the enlarged portions from the bearing members.

The outer end portion of the top member 24 is supported by a supporting structure which includesa 'pair of vertically extending legs 114 and 116 joined intermediate the ends thereof by a horizontal, transversely extending rod 118. The upper end of each leg is pivotally connected to the downwardly extending flange, portions of a bracket, such as 120, by a pin 122 while the bracket in turn is fixed to the lower surface of the top member 24 by any suitable means. The inner end por-' tion of the top member 26 is similarly supported by a supporting structure which includes a pair of vertically extending legs 124 and 126 joined intermediate the ends thereof by a horizontal, transversely extending rod 128, the upper end of each leg being pivotally connected to a bracket secured to the lower surface of the top member 26. As previously mentioned, the center legs 38 and 40 are pivotally connected to the hinges 34 and 36, respectively, and support the center portion of the table when the table is in the unfolded position.

It is a feature of the present invention that the legs at the opposite ends of the table are provided with Wheel units, such as 130 and 132, which are of the non-pivoting or non-caster type while the center legs 38 and 40 are provided with pivoting wheels or caster units, such as 134. With such a construction, the table may be detached from the recessed portion in the manner previously. described and easily and quickly moved to any desired location in the room by lifting one end of the table so that the non-pivoting wheel units at that endv are lifted; slightly off of the floor while the non-pivoting wheel units at the other end of the table and the caster units secured to the center legs remain in the floor-engaging I and associated caster units are lifted from the floor 'during the folding and unfolding operation in a manner which .will be described hereafter in greater detail. Another advantage resulting from the use of non-swiveling wheels at the end of the table lies in the fact that in use the table cannot be moved in a direction transverse to its length. This is important for school installations where young children may use the table. 2

Means are provided for automatically maintaining all of the legs in a substantially vertical position as the table is folded into the recess. This means comprises a tie member 138 and a pair of struts 140 and 142. The lower end of the strut 140 is pivotally connected to a generally U-shaped bracket 137, the web portion of the bracket 137 being fixed to the rod 118 while the leg portions of the bracket project upwardly and toward the central portion of the table, preferably at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the longitudinal axes of the legs 114 and 116. The upper end portion of the strut is pivotally connected by a pin 144 to a bracket 146 secured to the lower surface of the top member 26; at a position near, but spaced from, the transverse edge;

adjacent the top member 24. The lower end of the strut 142 is pivotally connected to a generally E-shaped bracket 139 which, in turn, is fixed to the rod 128, the legs of the bracket 139 projecting upwardly and toward the central portion of the table at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the longitudinal axes of the legs 124 and 126. The distal end portion of the strut 142 is pivotally connected by a pin 141 to a bracket 143 secured to the lower surface of the top member 24 at a position near, but spaced from, the transverse edge adjacent the top member 26. One end of the tie member 138 is pivotally connected to the bracket 139 while the other end portion of the tie member 138 is pivotally connected to a generally U-shaped bracket 145, which, in turn, is fixed to the rod 146 that extends between the center legs 38 and 40. The leg portions of the bracket 145 preferably extend downwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the longitudinal axes of the legs 38 and 40.

As a result of the structure just described, the pivotal movement of the inner end of the strut 140 about the pin 144 during folding movement of the table will cause the strut 140 to move outwardly relative to the outer end of the top member 24 and pivot the leg structure including the legs 114 and 116 at the outer end of the top member 24 toward the plane of the top member 24. At the same time the pivotal movement of the strut 142 about the pin 141 will cause the strut 142 to move relative to the end of the top member 25 adjacent the legs 124 and 126 and pivot the leg structure including the legs 124 and 126 toward the plane of the top member 26. The pivotal movement of the leg structure including the legs 114 and 116 toward the plane of the top member 24 and the pivotal movement of the leg structure including the legs 124 and 126 toward the plane of the top member 26 occurs at such a rate during the folding of the two top members into the recess 18 that the legs 114, 116, 124 and 126 are maintained in a substantially vertical position during all increments of the table folding operation. Since, as viewed in side elevation, the legs 40 and 124; the portion of the top member 26 lying between the hinge 36 and the leg 124; and the tie member 138, in effect, form a parallelogram, the center leg 40 will also be maintained substantially parallel with the leg 124 and in a substantially vertical position at all times during folding and unfolding of the top members because of the effect of the strut 142 in maintaining the leg 124 in a substantially vertical position.

The wheel units secured to the legs 114 and 124 at the ends of the table remain in contact with the floor at all times to support the weight of the table while the caster units secured to the center legs move upwardly during folding movement of the table and are in contact with the floor only when the table is in the completely unfolded or operative position.

As best seen in Fig. 8, a manually operated locking mechanism is provided for holding the table sections in the folded position within the recess 18. The locking mechanism comprises a right-triangularly shaped plate 148 having a perpendicularly projecting stud 150 fixed in the table top section 24 in a bushing 152. The stud 150 and bushing 152 terminate flush with the top surface of the table and do not interfere with the normal usage of the table or present a projection upon which persons might be injured when the table is folded within the recess. The plate 148 underlies the top surface of the top member 24 and the inner end, portion of a locking rod 154 is pivotally connected to the plate near the apex while the inner end portions of a pair of transversely extending locking rods 156 and 158 are pivotally connected to the plate 148 on opposite sides of the stud 150. The longitudinally extending rod 154 is slidably journaled in suitable openings formed in a pair of spaced brackets 160 and 162 secured to the lower surface of the top member 24 while the transversely extending rods 6 are slidably journaled in suitable openings formed in the longitudinally extending channel members 30 and 32. When positioned in the manner shown in Fig. 8, the outer end portion of the rod 154 projects between the pivotally connected end portions of the top members 24 and 26 and beyond the edge molding so as to engage a suitable opening in the angle bar 60 at the top of the recess while the outer end portions of the rods 156 and 158 project beyond the molding on the side edges of the top members and engage suitable openings in the T-shaped members 56 and 58 at opposite sides of the recess so as to positively lock the table in the recess at three spaced points. a

In order that the plate 148 may be rotated to unlock the table, the upper end of the stud is provided with a suitable key-receiving slot or other non-circular opening 164 adapted to receive a similarly shaped removable key or wrench 166. When the key is inserted in the slot and rotated in a clockwise-direction, as viewed in Fig. 8, the plate 148 rotates in a clockwise direction about the axis of the stud 150 and moves the rods 156, 158 and inwardly so as to disengage the rods from the openings in the sides and top of the recess and unlock the table sectrons.

While the benches may be constructed in a manner identical with the table, except for changes in dimensions, in the preferred embodiment illustrated the means provided for automatically maintaining all of the legs of each bench in a substantially vertical position as the bench is folded into the recess 20 is comprised of a pair of tie members 200 and 202 and a strut 204. One end of the tie member 200 is pivotally connected to a bracket 237 secured to a horizontal rod 218 which extends transversely between the legs 214 and 216 under the outer end portion of the top member 324 of the bench section 14. The other end portion of the tie member 200 is pivotally connected to a pivot rod 225 which extends between the center legs 238 and 240 of the bench, the pivot rod 225 being disposed below the rod 246 which also extends between the legs 238 and 240 as so to reinforce such legs. One end of the tie member 202 is pivotally connected to the rod 225 while the distal end of the tie member 202 is pivotally connected to a bracket 239 fixed to the rod 228 extending between the legs 224 and 226 under the inner end portion of the top member 326 of the bench section 16. The lower end of the strut 204 is pivotally connected to the bracket 237 while the upper end portion of the strut is pivotally connected to a bracket secured to the lower surface of the top member 326 at a position near, but spaced from, the transverse edge adjacent the top member 324.

As a result of the structure just described, the pivotal movement of the inner end of the strut 204 during folding movement of the bench will cause the strut to move outwardly relative to the outer end of the top member 324 and pivot the leg structure including the legs 214 and 216 toward the plane of the top member 324. The pivotal movement of such leg structure toward the plane of the top member 324 occurs at such a rate during the folding of the two top members into the recess 20 that the legs 214 and 216 are maintained in a substantially vertical position during all increments of the bench folding operation.

Since, as viewed in side elevation, the legs 214, 240 and 224; the portions of the two top members 324 and 326 lying between legs 214 and 224; and the tie members 200 and 202, in effect form two parallelograms having the center leg 240 as a common side, the center leg 240 and the leg 224 will also be maintained in a substantially vertical position at all times during folding and unfolding of the top members 324 and 326 because of the effect of the strut 204 in maintaining the leg 214 in a substantially vertical position.

As previously mentioned, the table structure herein described and illustrated may be utilized in the benches by '7 changing the dimensions 'of the component parts and the expression in the claim table structure or the like is intended to apply to either a table or bench constructed in the manner specified.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

A folding table construction or the like comprising, in combination, an elongated top member, a vertically extending center support member connected to said top member intermediate its ends, a pair of vertically extending end support members, said end support members being connected to the opposite end portions of said top member respectively, a pair of floor-engaging wheels journaled for rotation on fixed transverse axes on each of said end support members for rolling movement in a direction substantially parallel to the length of said top member whereby rolling movement of said table transversely of the length of said top member is prevented, and a pair of floor-engaging caster wheels pivotally connected to said center support member for swiveling movement about substantially vertical axes, said top member having suflicient flexibility to permit elevation of the wheels on one end support off the floor while the remainder of the table is supported by the wheels on the other end support member and the caster wheels on the center support member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 586,112 Beloin July 13, 1897 1,498,095 Hayes June 17, 1924 2,563,919 Christensen Aug. 14, 1951 2,721,778 Wilson Oct. 25, 1955 2,730,417 Mitchell Jan. 10, 1956 

